Robredo explains P450-M funding for Naga coliseum rehab
LEGAZPI CITY — Mayor Leni Robredo defended on Monday the P450 million national government funding for the rehabilitation of the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum in Naga City, which Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice had questioned.
Robredo said rehabilitation work is expected to begin in October, with the project now in the post-qualification stage after bidding was conducted in September.
“Hopefully, construction can start within the month of October,” she said in a Facebook post.
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READ: Marcos turns over P500M for modernization of Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum
She said work was delayed because government and nongovernment offices housed in the coliseum had to be relocated. Their temporary offices at the Balatas Building are expected to be ready by October.
Robredo said the P450 million would fund the coliseum’s rehabilitation, while another P50 million was allocated for heavy equipment for disaster response.
She said she began seeking funds for the project after assuming office in 2025. Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan advised the city to seek funding through the Local Government Support Fund.
In February 2025, the city’s funding request for the coliseum had been approved in principle. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. later turned over the Special Allotment Release Order for the project during his Feb. 23, 2025 visit to Naga.
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Erice questioned the P500-million allocation on Sept. 15 and suggested it could be politically motivated. Malacañang rejected the allegation, saying aid to local governments was based on their needs and the national government’s capacity to respond.
READ: Robredo thanks Marcos for P500-M funding to repair Naga coliseum
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Pangilinan said the funding was sought to address the coliseum’s disaster-safety needs.
Built in 2009 and opened in 2010, the 12,000-seat facility was originally designed for large events but has become Naga’s largest evacuation center during calamities./coa
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